Loving and Caring for Yourself and Your Body with Cydney Peterson – 1-23-16

December 28, 2015

In a recent study on New Year’s resolutions by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, it was found that 44% of respondents said their top focus for 2016 would be on health and wellness.  In the pursuit of these resolutions and goals, we sometimes can set unrealistic expectations, or become so single-minded that we don’t establish sustainable routines. What does it take to have a balanced approach to health and wellness?  And how do we make sure we are kind to ourselves in the pursuit of our ideal health and wellness goals?  This week we speak about the best way to make sure we love ourselves and our bodies as we set out to establish healthy routines.

Cydney Peterson grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and graduated with honors from high school and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.  After earning a BA in both Biology and Studio Art, Cydney worked professionally as a Zookeeper at the Houston Zoo in Houston, Texas and subsequently as an Animal Care Specialist and Animal Behavior Management Coordinator for the Racine Zoo in Racine, Wisconsin.

Although she loved her work with animals, Cydney was privately struggling with a troubled relationship to food, weight, and body image.  She had always felt intense pressure to succeed and navigated the challenges of life through the eyes of having to “do it right.”  To maintain control when life felt out of control, Cydney learned to use food and exercise as a way to manipulate her surroundings and appearance.

In what seemed to be a last ditch attempt to lose weight through an online vegan diet and exercise program, Cydney experienced a sudden shift in awareness, and found the Institute for the Psychology of Eating.  She is current immersed in learning techniques, philosophies, and strategies with the Institute for the Psychology of Eating to achieve the designation of Eating Psychology Coach in May, 2016.